Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-02
CATARRH.

THE TERM CATARRH is APPLIED TO A
i peculiar disorder of the nostrils and ad-
jacent parts, which prevails to an alarming
extent, ana is productive of very serious
consequences.
The most prominent and characteristic,
feature is morbid discharge from the head
varying in its nature at different times.
In some there is an almost constant flow
of clear, acrid fluid, but oftener an Offensive,
purulent or mucO-purulent, greenish-yell
matter is secreted, which accumulates in
the nostrils or drops into the throat, neces-
stating its frequent removal by blowing the
nose or expectoration, and often by both
processes. Sometimes patients feel as
though their head was in a state of rotten
ness, SO great is the amount of matter dis
charged and so fetid is its odor. The pa
tient is greatly annoyed by the constant
dropping into the throat of the morbid
matter from the head, and as a recumbent
position naturally favors the flow downward
his rest is frequently disturbed from this
cause. Many sufferers are obliged to lie With
the head very much elevated in order to
sleep with some degree OF comforI.
In others a tough, yiscid and offensive
phlegm collects behind and above the soft
palate, in the passage between the throat and
head, adhering to the parts with gluish tenac-
ity. Its lodgment embarrasses respiration
easiness in the affected locality, which gives
rise to constant and almost irresistible de-
sire to relieve that discomfort by drawing
the mucus into the throat 30 as to eject 1t by
as Hawking" is characteristic of catarrh,
and proves as embarrassing to the one af-
fected as it is disagreeable to those around
him.
deposits itself on the membrane in the shape
of dry. hard concretions, which are dis
charged by way of the nostrils or throat in
Jumps or fragments of deep green tint In
ah.up e.
to such an extent as to form regular plug
in the nose, which obstructs breathing and
produce serious discomfort So firmly do
these 1ncrustatiOns adhere to the point of
quires the most violent efforts; not unfre-
quently they have to be torn from the men,
brane. Occasionally a solid cast of notable
size is expelled, on which there are generally
presents a tubular appearance, being of exact
shape of the nasal cavity. This condition is
indicative of liberation, which, in time,
may destroy the bony structure OF the nose
and produce Il subsequent fattening of that
organ.
Cases are occasionally met with in which
thick, visCid, Shiny secretion coats the
membrane of the nasal cavities and then
putrefies, giving rise to a stencil which is
really overpowering, and sufficiently fetid
to poison the atmosphere of whole room;
and there are others in which all the secre-
tions OF the membrane are suspended. caus-
ing an unpleasant feeling of dryness, heat
fand feverishness in the head and nOse-a
Catarrh."
The disease speedily extends to the air
cavities of the bones of the forehead and
face, giving rise to dist essing sensation of
heavy weight or compression over the fore
head, especially in the region above and be-
tween the eyes, and to a feeling OF fulness,
heat, irritation, sore ness or pal in the nos
| trils near the root of the nose, as well as in
| the upper part OF the throat, above and be-
hind the soft palate. Sometimes there is
pain obstinately fixed in some particular
| head, at the back of the neck, or behind the
orbits, and, occasionally, pain manifests
itself in the face. of SO severe a character
| that it is frequently mistaken for neuralgia.
The breath is always tainted, and at times
| assumes an exceeding fetid and sickening
Odor. In some cases 1t becomes so revolt
ingly offensive as to render the sufferer an
others.
The nasal membrane is thickened and
contested, causing the nose to be stopped up,
sometimes on one side, sometimes on the
other, and often on both, giving rise to
disagreeable, stuffy sensation in the head,
and Occasioning violent and prolonged
paroxysms of sneezing.
The voice is weak, lndistinct and husky.
or OF nasal character, displaying sort of
| shifting quality. Oftentimes there is a con-
| tinuous hoarseness and discordance. There
is also sense of irritation in the part,
and frequent attempts to clear the throat of
phlegm, producing the sound "hem," more
| or less forcibly. In some cases patients
complain OF an uncomfortable feeling of
| fullness, or a choky sensation in the throat,
| and In others of distressing and almost
| constant dryness, for the temporary relief of
which they have to swallow frequently.
Others; again, speak of a constant bad or
| nauseous taste in the mouth OF throat.
The stomach generally suffers more or less
and becomes weak and irritable: the appe-
tlte Is caprfciOus and nearly always bad in
| the morning. The patient is languid, unable
70 perform mental or physical labor with
r;t the usual facility Is nervous depressed in
inclined to drowsiness and sleep, the mem
| ory weakened and permanent impairment
| seriously threatened.
morb1dly sensitive to unfavOrable infiu-
ences, and In spite Of the utmost care be-
comes affected from the slightest causes so
| that at last breath Of wind upon the lining
q cold, and gives rise to serious disturbances
OF the respiratory organs. Thus the patient
is subject to frequent and repeated colds,
each attack aggrayating the disease by CIV
extent of surface than its predecessor. In
this manner the difficulty spreads from or
gan to organ, invading the throat, larnyx,
trachea and bronchial tubes, until, en-
the finer ramifcations Of the br0nchi, when
but slight impulse 10 required to send 1t to
the lungs. Catarrh may, and often does,
affect other organs in the body, especially
those containing mucous membrane, such
as the stomach, bowels, kidneys, etc.
By the employment OF proper inhalatlons
in the form OF medicated vapor (not steam
or spray we are able to produce Immediate
and direct action upon the diseased surface
| in the pharynx and nasal passages, for air
will find its way into the most remote and
intricate cavities, where 1t is utterly impos-
sible to make fluid applications. BY these
means every case can be cured.
Persons desiring treatment by this system
OF practice can use the remedy at home as
well as at our office, and which will cause
whatever.
have seen SO many of these cases cured
that do not consider any case hopeless un-
less the disease has advanced to the chest
and that both lungs are seriously involved.
Even then the inhalations aid us in dis
sowing the mucus and in contracting and
healing the cavities, which nothing else can
DO with the same success The very best
references from those already cured.